Driver Charged After September Crash Into Woodstock Complex
A 60-year-old driver struck the Modera apartment building at 8:30 p.m. on September 13, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Accidents
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Residents at the Modera apartment complex in Southeast Portland saw their ground-floor windows destroyed on September 13, 2026, when a driver struck the building. Prosecutors have now charged 60-year-old Joni Lynn Clayton following the incident.
Why it matters
The crash caused $50,000 in damage to the building, highlighting the severe risks posed to public safety and property by impaired driving. The incident remains a point of concern for neighbors living near the intersection of Woodstock Boulevard and Southeast 49th Avenue.
Court records show the driver had a blood-alcohol content of .556%, significantly higher than the state limit of .08%. Total property damage from the crash is estimated at $50,000.
The players
Joni Lynn Clayton
The 60-year-old driver charged with criminal driving, reckless driving, criminal mischief, and driving under the influence.
OHSU Hospital
The medical facility where the driver received care following the incident.
The details
According to reports, the driver ran a red light at the intersection of Woodstock Boulevard and Southeast 49th Avenue before skidding into the apartment structure. A bystander smashed a window to enter the vehicle and assist the driver before she was transported to OHSU Hospital. Joni Lynn Clayton faces charges including criminal driving with a suspended license, reckless driving, criminal mischief, and driving under the influence.
Timeline
September 13, 2026
8:30 p.m. on September 13, 2026
October 2, 2026
Beyond the Bridges
Oregon law sets the legal blood-alcohol limit at .08% to ensure safe operation of motor vehicles on city streets. This incident marks a extreme departure from that standard, with the driver recording a level of .556%.
Neighbors near the intersection of Southeast 49th Avenue and Woodstock Boulevard should be aware of the ongoing investigation into the safety of this crossing. Residents of the Modera complex continue to navigate the aftermath of the $50,000 in property damage.
The takeaway
The high blood-alcohol level of .556% serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving in our city. Residents should monitor future court filings for updates on the legal case against the driver.
Further reading
You can find more reports on local traffic incidents in our Accidents section.
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Should repeat drunk driving offenders face harsher mandatory sentencing to ensure community safety?
